“As a busy wife, mom, elementary principal and church leader, I got into the routine of placing anything to do with myself at the end of my priorities. As a result, I let my health slide, gaining weight, lowering my activity level and experiencing several health issues as a result. When my doctor recommended Merit as a solution, versus medication, I really thought that it was just “too selfish” to take time and money from my monthly resources and give them to myself. After the encouragement from my husband, and after meeting Stephanie and Veronica and Linnie, I began to see that how I feel is just as important as everything else I was balancing. At Merit, you are heard, understood, never judged, guided, coached and celebrated at every visit. They provide many resources that turned my idea of a “diet” into a true lifetime of habits that I fully believe I will be able to maintain successfully, something other programs just could not do. I hit my goal (and then some) and feel incredible, having more energy, lower cholesterol numbers and more self-esteem than ever. I am truly grateful for Merit and I look forward to our monthly check-ins, knowing this investment in myself is just as important as everything else I give my time, energy and resources to."